Ferns are beautiful, low-maintenance plants that can bring a lush, tropical feel to any garden. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and thrive in moist, shady areas. When planting ferns, it is important to choose companion plants that will enhance their beauty and create a balanced landscape. There are several different types of plants that make excellent companions for ferns, from flowering perennials to ground covers. In this article, we will discuss some of the best plants to pair with ferns in your garden.Ferns make a great addition to the garden, offering a lush, tropical look. When planting ferns, it is important to choose companion plants that will provide the right light and moisture conditions for them. Plants that do well with ferns include other shade-loving perennials such as hosta, astilbe, Solomon’s seal, bleeding heart, heuchera, and Japanese forest grass. Colorful annuals such as impatiens and coleus can also be planted amongst the ferns for a splash of color.
Best Plants To Accompany Ferns
Ferns are a popular plant choice for many homes and gardens, thanks to their lush, green foliage and vibrant texture. They can be used to add a tropical feel to any space, but they can also be accompanied by other plants for a more diverse look. Some of the best plants to pair with ferns include begonias, impatiens, hostas, and astilbes.
Begonias are a great choice to pair with ferns because they come in many different colors and sizes. They can provide a pop of color to any garden or home setting, and they are easy to grow and maintain. Impatiens are another great option for pairing with ferns as they have beautiful blooms that come in various colors such as pink, white, red, orange and purple.
Hostas are an excellent option for pairing with ferns as they have large foliage that creates a lush look when planted together. They come in various shades of green and can be planted in partial shade or full sun depending on your preference. Astilbes are also a great choice when it comes to pairing with ferns as they have delicate blooms in shades of pink or white that create an eye-catching display when planted together.
These plants all make great companions for ferns since they provide variety and texture to the space without overpowering the look of the ferns. By combining different types of plants together you can create an interesting landscape that will bring life and color into your home or garden.
Pairing Plants With Ferns
Ferns are a great way to add texture and color to your garden. Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance ground cover or a bold focal point, ferns are an excellent choice. They can also be used to add a unique touch to your garden by pairing them with other plants. By pairing plants with ferns, you can create a lush and vibrant landscape that will make your outdoor space look beautiful.
When choosing plants to pair with ferns, it’s important to consider their size, shape, and texture. If the plants are too similar in size or shape, the effect can be overwhelming and cluttered. Instead, choose contrasting varieties that will stand out from one another. For instance, pair a tall fern with shorter perennial flowers or ground covers. This will create visual interest and draw attention to the different elements of your garden.
It’s also important to consider the texture of the plants when pairing them with ferns. The fronds of ferns are often quite delicate, so it’s best to choose plants that have thicker foliage or larger blooms for contrast. Look for evergreen shrubs like boxwood or holly that will provide color and texture year-round without overwhelming the other elements in your landscape design.
When planting ferns alongside other plants, it’s important to provide them with enough space for growth and air circulation. Ferns prefer moist soil and partial shade so they should be planted in areas where they won’t get too much sun exposure throughout the day. It’s also important not to crowd them too much as this can cause problems with disease and pests.
By carefully selecting companion plants for your ferns, you can create an attractive and inviting landscape that will bring beauty and life into any outdoor space. With some planning and creativity, you’ll be able to design a garden that is both visually appealing and functional for years of enjoyment!
Growing Conditions For Ferns
Ferns are a type of plant that thrive in moist, shaded areas with high humidity. They should be planted in an area that receives indirect sunlight and is protected from direct wind. The soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter. To keep the soil moist, mulch can be used to cover the roots and conserve water. Ferns prefer cooler temperatures, so it is best to avoid planting them in areas that experience extreme heat or cold.
Fertilizer should be applied to ferns sparingly as they are sensitive to too much nitrogen. A balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 can be used every few weeks during the growing season for optimal growth and health. During the winter months, fertilizing should be reduced or stopped altogether to prevent overfeeding the plants during their dormant period.
Companion Plants
Ferns can be combined with other plants to create an attractive garden display. Some of the best companion plants for ferns include astilbe, hostas, heuchera, coral bells, columbine, and bleeding heart. These plants all prefer similar growing conditions to ferns and will thrive in moist soils and part shade environments. Additionally, these plants have complementary foliage textures and colors that will enhance the beauty of your garden.
When combining different types of plants together in a garden bed it is important to consider their mature size as well as their light requirements. Make sure that all companion plants receive adequate light without blocking out too much sun from other plants in the bed. Also consider how quickly each plant grows so that you can create a balanced look while avoiding overcrowded beds.
1. Choose the Right Location
When planting with ferns, it is important to choose the right location. Ferns prefer moist, shady areas with indirect sunlight and good air circulation. They do not do well in overly sunny or windy areas, so it is important to choose a spot that offers the right conditions for your ferns to thrive. It is also important to look at the soil type when selecting a spot for your ferns; they prefer well-draining soil that stays evenly moist.
2. Improve the Soil Quality
Once you have chosen the right location for your ferns, it is important to improve the soil quality by adding organic matter. This could include compost, aged manure, or leaf litter. This will help to create a rich and nutritious environment for your ferns and provide them with essential nutrients.
3. Plant at Appropriate Depths
Ferns should be planted at appropriate depths; this will depend on the size of the plant and can usually be found on the label of purchased plants or on their description online if they are being ordered from a nursery. Generally speaking, smaller plants should be planted about 2 inches deep while larger ones should be planted a bit deeper (around 4 inches).
4. Water Regularly
Ferns need regular watering in order to thrive; this means watering them once or twice a week depending on how hot and dry it is outside. The amount of water required will vary depending on factors such as temperature, humidity, and soil type – sandy soils usually require more water than heavier soils – so it is important to monitor your plants’ moisture levels and adjust as needed throughout the growing season.
5. Mulch Your Plants
Mulching your ferns can help retain moisture in their soil while also protecting them from extreme temperatures and weeds that may compete for resources. A layer of mulch around 1-2 inches thick should be applied around each plant and kept moist throughout the growing season in order to ensure optimal health for your plants.
Interesting Combinations With Ferns
Ferns are a great way to bring texture and beauty to any landscape. They are low-maintenance, shade-loving plants that look great in both indoor and outdoor settings. When it comes to pairing ferns with other plants, there are a variety of interesting combinations that can be created for a unique look.
One combination is to pair ferns with hostas. Hostas have broad, heart-shaped leaves that provide a nice contrast to the delicate fronds of the ferns. The two plants work together to create an interesting texture and color variation in the garden setting.
Another combination is to use ferns alongside ornamental grasses. Ornamental grasses add movement and texture to the garden space, while the fern’s foliage helps soften the lines of the grasses. This combination can also provide a great contrast between green and yellow foliage colors for a truly eye catching display.
Ferns can also be combined with flowering plants for an interesting effect. Perennial flowers like daisies or coneflowers can provide color and texture, while the fern’s foliage provides a backdrop for these blooms. This combination is especially striking when used in containers or raised beds where they can be easily seen from all angles.
No matter what combination you choose, using ferns in your landscaping will create an eye-catching display that is sure to bring life and beauty into any garden setting!
Shade-Loving Plants To Plant With Ferns
Ferns are one of the most popular shade-loving plants and can easily be planted with other shade-loving plants for a lush look. When selecting plants to pair with ferns, look for plants that have similar growing requirements and that will complement each other visually. Some of the best shade-loving plants to plant with ferns include hostas, hellebores, astilbes, and heucheras.
Hostas are a classic option for planting with ferns. They come in a variety of sizes and have variegated foliage that adds texture and interest to the garden. Hostas also come in a range of colors, from deep green to nearly white. They prefer moist soil and thrive in shady areas, making them the perfect companion for ferns.
Hellebores are another great option when planting with ferns as they both prefer partial or full shade conditions. Hellebores can be evergreen or deciduous depending on the variety and they bloom in late winter or early spring, providing an early burst of color when planted alongside ferns.
Astilbes are delicate looking plants that can add color and texture to shady gardens. They come in a range of colors such as white, pink, purple, red, and more. Astilbes prefer moist soil so they should be planted alongside ferns in well-drained areas.
Heucheras are showy foliage plants that come in a variety of colors including silver, purple, green, pink, yellow, orange, and more. Heucheras add texture to shady gardens and tolerate dry soils well so they can be planted near ferns where the soil may not be as moist as desired.
When selecting shade-loving plants to plant alongside your ferns, remember to select varieties that have similar growing requirements so they all thrive in your garden. Hostas, hellebores, astilbes, and heucheras all make great companions for ferns and will create a lush look in any shade garden.
Sun-Loving Plants To Plant With Ferns
Ferns are a popular choice for shaded gardens, but it’s possible to find plenty of sun-loving plants that work well with ferns, too. Sun-loving plants can add texture and color to your garden beds, and choosing the right ones can also help to support fern growth. Here are some of the best options for pairing with ferns in a sunny garden.
Shrubs like hydrangeas, viburnums, and rhododendrons provide a backdrop for delicate fern foliage. They can also help to create a microclimate for your ferns by providing afternoon shade as the sun moves across the sky. Ornamental grasses can be used in the same way, as they provide structure and movement to a garden bed while their upright growth allows light to reach lower plants.
Perennial flowers like daylilies, yarrow, and columbine bring bursts of color and texture that can accentuate your ferns. While they don’t provide much in terms of shade or climate control, these plants are great for adding bright spots of color throughout your garden bed. For additional texture and height, consider ornamental trees like serviceberry or flowering dogwood. These trees will cast dappled sunlight on your garden below while providing shelter from harsh winds.
When pairing sun-loving plants with ferns, choose varieties that suit both plant types. For example, if you’re looking for shrubs that will thrive in partial shade and still provide enough light for your ferns, opt for varieties like azalea or hydrangea that prefer part sun/shade conditions. The same goes for perennial flowers – look for varieties that require at least 6 hours of sunlight per day while still providing enough coverage from direct rays when combined with other plants in the bed.
By combining these sun-loving plants with ferns in your garden beds you’ll be able to create an interesting mix of textures and colors without sacrificing light levels or climate control for either group of plants. With careful selection you’ll end up with a stunning display where both types of plants are given the opportunity to thrive!
Conclusion
Ferns are a great way to bring a touch of nature into your garden. They are low maintenance and can be combined with many different plants to create a stunning display. Ferns look great with other foliage plants, such as hostas, ivy, and pachysandra. They also pair well with flowering perennials like foxgloves and astilbes. Other shade-loving annuals such as impatiens and begonias make great companions as well. Whether you’re looking for a lush green background or an accent plant, ferns can be used to create the perfect look in your garden.
With their hardiness and ease of care, ferns are an ideal choice for any garden. With endless combinations available, you can create a unique display that fits your style and environment perfectly. With the right combination of plants, your ferns will look breathtakingly beautiful all year round!